Vehicle Description

When you think of Honda/Acura, what do you see? Better yet, when
you think of Honda/Acura in the '90s, what do you see? Fun and
pragmatic runabouts like the Integra and Prelude? Well, that's to
be expected, since everyone's favorite manufacturer of high-revving
imports has built quite the reputation for technological and
industrious transportation. And that reputation is exactly why
classics like this first-year NSX are such cool finds. Virtually
every automaker has to build its fair share of vanilla appliances.
But there's just something incredibly exciting when a 'big seven'
behemoth throws caution to the wind and lets its engineers do the
talking. Sporting only 15,515 miles that were logged by one
enthusiastic owner, this NSX is an unmodified beauty that's always
resided in the mild confines of the southern United States. Want an
incredible modern classic that's virtually guaranteed to build
equity? This well-preserved Acura is your hot ticket!

HISTORY/CONDITION

During the late '80s and early '90s, Toyota, Honda and Nissan
enjoyed unprecedented success as they built powerhouse brands that
could compete with the world's biggest automakers. That success
inspired Honda, already well-known for its efficiency and
engineering expertise, to create what they considered an
'everyman's super car'. Enter the elegant NSX, with its highly
advanced engine, forged aluminum suspension and all-aluminum body.
This super clean NSX is a first-year model that was ordered by its
one and only owner three years before production even started.
That's right, the owner, who had carefully followed development of
the car, was such a fan that he decided to just show up at his
local dealer with cash in hand. The salesperson he spoke with had
no idea the car was even being engineered but, upon checking with
his manager, was happy to take the deposit. When the beloved NSX
arrived, the owner traded in his early '60s Corvette. And today,
this Acura rolls as an unmodified, low-mileage garage queen that,
residing in the southern United States, has never seen snow and
rarely seen rain.

ENGINE

To many folks, the sign of a true super car is exclusivity, and
exclusivity is one area where the NSX has major chops. Toss this
coupe's hatch and you'll find a 3.0 liter C30A V6 that, due to its
cost and complexity, was never fitted to another production Honda.
That's virtually unheard of in the modern era of platform sharing,
global propulsion systems and government certifications. Mixing the
brand's proven V-TEC variable valve timing with variable volume
induction, that all-aluminum mill turns a respectable 270 horses
and an impressive 210 lb./ft. of torque into a pleasingly flat
power curve that tops out at 8,000 RPM. That level of revolution
can be reliably maintained thanks to iron-sleeved cylinders, a
lightweight rotating assembly and the C30A being one of the first
mass-produced powerplants to utilize titanium connecting rods.
Those meritorious powertrain characteristics, the same mindset
shared by the car's high-strung S2000 brethren, are no doubt aided
by 24-valve heads, which are wired with electronic fuel injection
and direct ignition. And, as you can see from our high-resolution
photos, the engine is every bit as fresh as a 26-year-old classic
can be, with most of its ancillary components showing minimal
wear.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Park this NSX on a lift and you'll find a well-preserved
undercarriage that, according to the car's current owner, has only
seen one rain event. Behind the V6, a twin-plate clutch kicks a
row-it-yourself 5-speed, which spins a limited-slip differential
around aggressive, 3.18 gears. Below that drivetrain, a forged
aluminum, fully independent suspension, which remains exactly as it
was back in 1991, benefits from standard traction control. That
chassis turns thanks to electronically assisted rack-and-pinion
steering. At the corners, power disc brakes utilize 4-channel ABS
to increase stopping performance. There's a pristine exhaust
system, which gives the engine a signature growl. And everything
rides on forged alloy wheels, which, benefitting from the car's
well-known tire recall, spin 205/50ZR15 Yokohamas in front of
225/50ZR16 Yokohamas.

INTERIOR

Behind the doors, a weather-free interior offers a great balance
between daily and high performance needs. Original bucket seats
wrap tight leather around 4-way power adjustment. Between those
seats, a molded console centers a leather-wrapped shifter behind a
choice Bose sound system, which has been fully rebuilt, and
automatic climate control, which benefits from a new compressor.
The car's sculpted, color-keyed dashboard is in great shape and
free of cracks and scratches. The carpet, protected by NSX themed
floor mats, and leather door panels, framing controls for an array
of power accessories, retain their showroom charm. In front of the
driver, a leather-wrapped, Acura-branded steering wheel laps a tilt
and telescopic column. Behind the passengers, a carpeted cargo hold
hides a factory air compressor and aluminum jack with enough room
for a couple of weekend bags or even a set of golf clubs. And
everything, from the car's factory Cruise Control to its standard
theft deterrent system, is lucid and ready to hit the road.

PROVENANCE

Our sale includes this Acura's original Window Sticker. Here's a
thorough breakdown of the car's long list of standard
equipment.

Our Awards

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and 2016. This prestigious accolade represents the continued growth of the company, and ClassicCars.com's dominance as the world's largest online marketplace for
buying and selling classic and collector vehicles.

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ClassicCars.com's first-class Customer Support team with a Gold Award in 2017, celebrating the team's skills as exemplary customer support specialists.

In 2016 The Journal, brought to you by ClassicCars.com, was celebrated as the SECOND MOST INFLUENTIAL automotive blog in the world by NFC Performance.